Retractable top quarter window assembly

ABSTRACT

A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. The retractable hard top linkage includes a pivot bracket that is movable within the top guide track to limit the clearance necessary for folding the hard top into a stowed position. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are shifted outboard of the retractable hard top and rotated to a stowed position. The retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, tonneau, and roll bar may be assembled as a single unitary module with the linkages that coordinate operation of the retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, and tonneau to facilitate assembly to a vehicle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of application(s) Ser. No. 09/963,326 filed Sep.25, 2001, ABANDONED, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 09/766,381 filed Jan. 19, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,293,605 which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/334,763 filed Jun. 16,1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,217,104.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to retractable hard top vehicle roofs and relatedvehicle components that facilitate roof retraction and extension.

BACKGROUND ART

Motor vehicles generally are provided with a rigid roof structurecompletely enclosing the top of the passenger compartment. In someinstances a sunroof may be provided at an additional cost to providesome overhead ventilation, however, the size of the vehicle sunroofs isnormally very limited. Vehicle roofs with sunroofs do not in any wayapproach the ventilation, openness and panoramic view that is availablewith a convertible roof.

Conventional convertibles have a soft top that is folded into a seriesof folds that are stretched over three or four convertible top bows whenthe top is in its extended, or up, position. Convertible soft tops areprone to problems including excessive noise and potential water leakage.Soft tops are also generally less durable than a hard top and mayrequire replacement periodically during the life of the vehicle. Some ofthe difficulties with the soft top convertibles result from the factthat they are not particularly well suited to winter weather. Coldtemperatures, ice and snow that are encountered in winter discourageconsumers from selecting convertible style vehicles even though theconsumers may want a convertible for summer driving. In winter, waterleakage through the convertible roof can make driving unpleasant andcause water damage to the interior of the vehicle. A soft top can make avehicle difficult to heat due to heat transfer through the convertibletop unless it is lined and insulated. If a convertible top is lined andinsulated, reduction in noise levels and better heat retention may beachieved but the top becomes more bulky and requires more space withinthe vehicle for stowage.

Retractable hard tops offer the advantages of a hard top roof and aconvertible in that they provide a durable vehicle roof that is notprone to excessive noise levels or leakage and provides excellentdurability. However, retractable hard tops generally require complexlinkages and drive mechanisms. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,606,discloses a system in which the trunk is provided with a dual hingemechanism to allow it to be opened in the conventional manner on aforward hinge and to be tipped about its rear edge on an auxiliary rearhinge. In addition, a relatively large storage compartment must beprovided to permit the retractable hard top to be folded and then movedinto its storage compartment. Depending upon the size of the roof andtrunk area of the vehicle, it may be difficult or impossible toconfigure a retractable hard top according to prior art designs thatwould still leave sufficient space in the trunk for useful storage. Inaddition to providing space for storing the retractable hard top, if anautomatic hard top is provided, there must be adequate clearance betweenthe trunk lid, wheel housings, floor of the vehicle and belt line of thevehicle so that the hard top may be automatically retracted withoutinterference from other vehicle elements.

Assembly of convertible tops and retractable hard tops has generallybeen accomplished by taking separate components including the top andits associated linkage and the tonneau and its associated linkage andassembling them to a partially constructed vehicle on an assembly line.Alternatively, convertibles have been manufactured by removing the roofstructure of a conventional coupe, reinforcing the frame and theninstalling the convertible top and tonneau. In either method the trunklid is assembled as part of the vehicle entirely separately from thetop. Likewise, if a roll bar is provided it is entirely separate fromthe top and from the trunk lid prior to assembly to the vehicle. Theseassembly methods are inefficient and add operations to the final vehicleassembly process. Also, testing and adjustment of various systemsrelating to the operation of the trunk lid, tonneau and top are requiredpost assembly to the vehicle including integration of electricalconnections, hydraulic systems and mechanical linkages.

These and other problems and design objectives are addressed by thepresent invention as summarized below.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The advances embodied in the present invention may be applicable toretractable hard tops and soft convertible tops. The present inventionincludes improvements in the top alone and in combination with a powertonneau cover, trunk lid, and rollbar. The invention also offersadvantages relating to modular assembly techniques involving theretractable top, trunk, tonneau and rollbar.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a retractable topsystem is disclosed for a vehicle that has a body and a passengercompartment. The vehicle top system includes a roof formed in at leasttwo sections that are pivotally connected to each other and to thevehicle body and are movable between a top up position and a stowedposition by a roof linkage. The roof linkage includes right and leftpivot brackets that each have first and second portions pivotallyconnected respectively to the roof sections and a third portionpivotally and slidably connected respectively to right and left roofguide tracks. In the top up position, the roof covers a passengercompartment. In the stowed position, the passenger compartment isuncovered. The two sections of the roof are adjoined in the top upposition and are folded together in the stowed position. The roof pivotbrackets are moved along roof guide tracks as the roof is moved betweenthe top up position and the stowed position. The system is preferablypowered by a motor that is operatively connected to the roof linkage formoving the top between the top up and stowed positions.

The retractable top linkage includes a front roof assembly a rear roofassembly that are connected by right and left balance links. Eachbalance link pivotally connects one side of the front roof assembly toone of the first and second portions of the right and left roof pivotbrackets to provide a balance link pivot mount. The linkage furtherincludes right and left control links that are connected to right andleft body mounted pivots on a first end and to a controlled member on asecond end. The control member is pivotally connected to the right andleft roof pivot brackets respectively. The controlled member may beeither a pivotal connection at a lower intermediate portion of the rearroof assembly or may be a pivot connector on the balance link thatextends between the front roof assembly and roof pivot brackets.

The roof pivot brackets each guide movement of the front and rear roofassemblies. The right and left roof pivot members connect the roof pivotbrackets for movement relative to the right and left roof guide tracks.The balance links connect the roof pivot brackets to the front roofassembly to move the front and rear roof assemblies between their top upand folded positions. The rear roof pivot mounts of the roof pivotbrackets guide the lower edge of the rear roof assembly along the rightand left roof guide tracks forward and downward into a storagecompartment of the trunk as the front roof assembly is folded toward therear roof assembly.

According to another aspect of the invention, a rear quarter windowassembly for a vehicle is provided that is carried by the retractabletop. The rear quarter window is carried by the retractable top as thetop is moved between a closed position and a stowed position. In theclosed position, the window is contiguous with the belt line of thevehicle to cover an opening defined between the top and the belt line ofthe vehicle. In the stowed position, the window is carried by aretractable top but is not contiguous with the retractable top or thebelt line of the vehicle. The window/top control arm is pivotallyconnected to a rear portion of the retractable top and is pivotallyconnected to the rear quarter window. A cam pivotally connects a lowerportion of the rear quarter window to the retractable top. The rearquarter window is moved by the retractable top after the retractable topmoves clear of the rear quarter window. The rear quarter window isrotated by the window/top control arm about the cam.

According to another aspect of the invention as it relates to the rearquarter window assembly, a longitudinally extensible roller campivotally connects a lower rear corner of the rear quarter window to theretractable top. The rear quarter window is moveable laterally outboardof the retractable top by extension of the roller cam to allow theretractable top to move clear of the rear quarter window. The rearquarter window is rotated by the window/top control arm about the rollercam to a position laterally outboard of the retractable top.

According to another aspect of the invention, a retractable vehicle top,trunk lid and tonneau cover assembly may be provided in combination fora vehicle including many of the structural elements previously describedwith respect to each element separately. Likewise, a retractable vehicletop, rear quarter window, tonneau cover assembly may be provided as asystem incorporating the structural elements previously described withrespect to each of the components.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be betterunderstood in view of the attached drawings and detailed description ofseveral embodiments of the invention that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the modular concept ofthe present invention wherein a retractable top, power tonneau, trunklid and roll bar are assembled to each other and a frame includingmounting brackets and installed as a unit simultaneously in a vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle with aretractable top made in accordance with the present invention in its topup position.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle having aretractable top made in accordance with the present invention at thebeginning of the retraction cycle.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle having aretractable top made in accordance with the present invention with theretractable top at an intermediate point in the retraction cycle.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle having aretractable top made in accordance with the present invention with theretractable top at a nearly fully retracted position.

FIG. 6 is a partial side elevation view of a vehicle having aretractable top made in accordance with the present invention with theretractable top at a fully retracted position.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a rear portion of a vehicleshowing a retractable top made in accordance with the present inventionwith the retractable top in phantom lines as stowed in the vehicle.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary exploded view of the retractable top and rearquarter window made in accordance with the present invention with aportion of their associated linkages.

FIG. 9 is a partial side elevation view of a vehicle showing analternative linkage mechanism according to the present invention withthe retractable top in its top up position.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle and theembodiment of the retractable top made in accordance with the embodimentof FIG. 9 and shown in its partially retracted position.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle and aretractable top made in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 9illustrating the top in its fully retracted position.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the vehicle having aretractable top and a power inner tonneau cover made in accordance withthe present invention with the retractable top in its top up position.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle having aretractable top and power inner tonneau cover made in accordance withthe present invention with the retractable top in its nearly fullyretracted position.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle having aretractable top and power inner tonneau cover with the top in its fullyretracted position and the tonneau cover disposed above a portion of thetop.

FIG. 15 is the partial exploded perspective view of one side of aretractable top and power inner tonneau cover and a portion of theirassociated linkages.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle having a trunklid linkage made in accordance with the present invention in its fullyraised position with the retractable top shown in phantom partiallyretracted.

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle having a trunklid linkage made in accordance with the present invention partiallyclosed with retractable top shown in phantom fully stowed.

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle having a trunklid linkage made in accordance with the present invention closed overthe retractable top shown in phantom in its fully retracted position.

FIG. 19 is a exploded perspective view of a trunk lid and linkage madein accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle having a trunklid linkage with an alternative embodiment of the drive mechanism shownin its fully raised position with the retractable top shown in phantompartially retracted.

FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of a vehicle having a trunk lid made inaccordance with the embodiment of FIG. 20 showing the trunk lidpartially closed and the retractable top shown in phantom in its fullyretracted position.

FIG. 22 is a side elevation view of the trunk lid made in accordancewith the embodiment of FIG. 20 showing the trunk lid closed and theretractable top in its fully retracted position.

FIG. 23 is an exploded perspective view of the trunk lid and linkagemade in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 20 showing a drive systeminterconnecting two parts of the linkage.

FIG. 24 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle and a trunklid cover and linkage made in accordance with the present invention withan alternative embodiment of the drive mechanism shown in its fullyraised position with the retractable top shown in phantom partiallyretracted.

FIG. 25 is a fragmentary side elevation view of a vehicle and a trunklid embodiment of FIG. 24 in its partially closed position with the roofshown in phantom in its fully retracted position.

FIG. 26 is a fragmentary side elevation view of the vehicle and trunklid cover according to the embodiment of FIG. 24 shown with the trunklid closed over the retractable top in its fully retracted position.

FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the trunk lid and linkagemade in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 24 showing a drive systeminterconnecting a part of the linkage to the vehicle or frame.

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a trunk lid including a retractableouter tonneau cover formed as a part of the deck lid in conjunction witha moveable inner tonneau cover.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, a retractable top 10 for a vehicle 12 is shownas a modular construction including a frame 14, inner tonneau cover 16and trunk lid 18 that are installed as a unit in the partially assembledvehicle 12. The frame 14 is secured to the retractable top 10, innertonneau cover 16 and trunk lid 18 that will be more particularlydescribed below. The trunk lid 18 includes an outer tonneau cover 20that is assembled to the trunk lid 18 in a sliding relationship similarto the sliding mechanism used for power sunroofs. The front edge of thetrunk lid 22 and a rear edge of the inner tonneau 24 define the spacecovered by the outer tonneau cover 20 when it is extended from the trunklid 18. Main bracket 26 and right and left wheel housing brackets 28 and30, respectively, are secured to or are formed as parts of othercomponents of the vehicle such as the floor and wheel housings. Holes 32are provided for fasteners to be received in for securing the modularassembly to the vehicle 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2-8, the structure and operation of the retractableroof 10 is described. The retractable top 10 in the illustratedembodiment includes a front roof assembly 36 and a rear roof assembly38. The front and rear roof assemblies 36 and 38 are interconnected by ahinge pin 40 and hinge flange 42. The hinge pin 40 is associated withthe rear roof assembly 38 and the hinge flange 42 extends rearwardlyfrom the rear edge of the front roof assembly 36. The roof linkagegenerally indicated by reference numeral 44 controls retraction andextension of the retractable top 10. The roof linkage 44 is symmetricaland includes right and left roof linkages on the right and left sides ofthe vehicle 12. For brevity, only the RIGHT side of the roof linkage 44is shown. However, it should be understood that a LEFT side linkage isalso provided as part of the roof linkage 44. The LEFT side roof linkageis substantially identical in all material respects to the RIGHT sidelinkage and its description will not be repeated.

The roof linkage 44 includes a roof pivot bracket 46 comprising agenerally y-shaped member having a track follower member 48 on one partof the roof pivot bracket 46 that is received for sliding movement alongthe roof guide track 50. A pivot connector 52 is provided on anotherportion of the roof pivot bracket 46. The pivot connector 52 connectsthe roof pivot bracket 46 to the rear roof assembly 38. A pivot pin 54connects another part of the roof pivot bracket 46 to a balance link 56.Balance link 56 interconnects the roof pivot bracket 46 to the frontroof assembly 36 at front roof pivot 58. A control link 60 is connectedto a body mount pivot 62 and a roof assembly pivot 64.

A rear quarter window 66 spans the space between the belt line 68 of thevehicle 12 and the lower edge 70 of the rear roof assembly 38. Awindow/top control arm 72 is connected by pivot 74 to the rear roofassembly. Pivot 76 connects the other end of the window/top control arm72 to the rear quarter window 66. A roller cam 78 is connected to therear quarter window 66 and is longitudinally extensible to move the rearquarter window 66 outboard as the roof is retracted and islongitudinally retracted to move the rear quarter window 66 intoengagement with the belt line 68 and lower edge 70 of the rear roofassembly 38 when the top 10 is in the top up position.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the roof pivot bracket 46 is located at theupper and rear end of the roof guide track 50 and the rear quarterwindow 66 is in engagement with the belt line 68 and edge 70 of the rearroof assembly 38. The front roof assembly 36 and rear roof assembly 38are contiguous to form a hard top over the passenger compartment of thevehicle.

As shown in FIG. 3, the roof is in an early stage retraction positionwherein the roof pivot bracket 46 has begun to move downwardly andforwardly in the roof guide track 50. The rear quarter window isextended outwardly to provide clearance between the window 66 and theoutboard sides of the retractable top 10. The roof pivot bracket 46 isheld in the same angular orientation by the track follower member 48 inthe roof guide track 50. The front roof assembly 36 and rear roofassembly 38 are not contiguous at this phase of the retraction cycle butare held together by the hinge pin 40 and hinge flange 42 as they beginfolding toward each other. The balance link 56 holds the front roofassembly 36 in a generally horizontal orientation. The balance link 56is held in place by the roof pivot bracket 46. The rear roof assembly 38is rotated upwardly on its front end and downwardly on its rear end bythe movement of the pivot connector 52 and the control link 60. Controllink 60 is anchored to the vehicle at the body mount pivot 62 and isrotated about roof assembly pivot 64. The rear quarter window 66 isrotated by the window/top control arm 72 that is connected to the rearroof assembly 38 at pivot 74. The window is connected to the window/topcontrol arm by pivot 76 that rotates the rear quarter window 66 aboutthe roller cam 78.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the retraction of the roof has continued to itsapproximate midpoint wherein the roof pivot bracket 46 has been moved bya cylinder or motor to the approximate midpoint of the roof guide track50. The front roof assembly 36 is held in its generally horizontalorientation by the balance link 56 while the rear roof assembly has beenrotated to a partially inverted position by the pivot connector 52 onthe roof pivot brackets 46. The control arm 60 supports the rear roofassembly on the body mount pivot 62 as it rotates about the roofassembly pivot 64. The rear quarter window 66 is rotated by thewindow/top control arm 72 about the roller cam 78.

Referring now to FIG. 5, the action of the roof linkage 44 is continuedto a fully retracted position and the pivot bracket 46 has moved furtherdownwardly and forwardly on the roof guide track 50. The balance link 56continues to hold the front roof assembly in a generally horizontalorientation as it is further folded on the hinge pin 40 and hinge flange42 over top of the rear roof assembly 38. The rear roof assembly 38 isnearly inverted as it is rotated by the further forward advancement ofthe pivot connector 52 and rotated about the roof assembly pivot 64. Thecontrol link 60 moves in a clockwise direction about the body mountpivot 62. The window/top control arm 72 continues to rotate the rearquarter window 66 about the roller cam 78 that holds the window outboardof the retractable top 10 as it progresses through its retraction cycle.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the retractable top 10 is shown in its fullyretracted position. The roof pivot bracket 46 is at the forward anddownward end of the roof guide track 50. The roof pivot bracket 46 isheld in the same angular orientation by the track follower members 48 tothe roof guide track 50. The control arm 56 continues to hold the frontroof assembly in a generally horizontal orientation while the rear roofassembly 38 has been inverted so that the front roof assembly 36 mayrest on the rear roof assembly 38. The hinge pin 40 and hinge flange 42connect the front roof assembly 36 and rear roof assembly 38 together.The control arm 60 is disposed in a generally downward orientationsuspending the rear roof assembly 38 on the roof assembly pivot 64 fromthe body mount pivot 62. The window/top control arm 72 is moved by thecontrol arm 60 to a substantially inverted position relative to itsposition in the top up position.

When the roof is in its retracted position, as shown in FIG. 7, it maybe covered by the inner tonneau cover 16 and an outer tonneau cover 20on the trunk lid 18 of the vehicle 12. The front roof assembly 36 andrear roof assembly 38 are shown folded against one another.

Referring now to FIG. 8, the tonneau parts of the retractable top areshown in exploded perspective. A drive 80 is shown that is connected tothe vehicle body on one end and the pivot bracket 46 on the other end.The drive 80 may be a cylinder, cable drive, motor driven screw drive orother device that is capable of moving the roof pivot bracket 46 withinthe roof guide tracks 50. The track follower member 48 is shown as anextruded t-shaped member formed on one part of the roof pivot bracket46. To reduce friction, the track follower member 48 may include aroller or other friction reducing structure. The front roof assembly 36includes the hinge flange 42 that is connected to the rear roof assemblyby the hinge pin 40. Balance link 56 is connected by pivot pin 54 to theroof pivot bracket 46 on one end while the front roof pivot 58 connectsthe balance link 56 to the front roof assembly 36. Window/top controlarm 72 is connected a pivot 74 to the control link 60 on one end and isconnected to the pivot 76 on the rear quarter window 66. Rear quarterwindow 66 is further controlled by the roller cam 78 about which itpivots and that is effective to move the window outward during theretraction and extension cycles.

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, an alternative embodiment of the roofretraction mechanism is described that is similar in many respects tothe embodiment of FIGS. 2-8 but includes a different arrangement whereinthe control link 82 is connected to the body mount pivot 62 on one endand is connected by a pivot 84 on the balance link 56. The control link82 connects the balance link 56 to the vehicle at body mount pivot 62.The balance link 56 is connected by pivot pin 54 to the roof pivotbracket 46 on its lower end and to the front roof pivot 58 on the otherend. In FIG. 9, the retractable top 10 is shown in its top up position.In FIG. 10, the alternative embodiment is shown with the roof at theapproximate midpoint of the retraction cycle. In FIG. 11, the roof isshown in its fully retracted position with the control link 82 suspendedfrom the body mount 62 and supporting the balance link 56.

Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, the inner tonneau cover in combinationwith the retractable top is shown and its operation is described inconjunction with the operation of the top. A front pivot flange 90extends from the inner tonneau cover 16 and is connected by a pivot pin92 to the vehicle body. A rear pivot link flange 94 also extendsdownwardly from the inner tonneau cover 16 and is connected by a pivotlink pin 96 to bell crank 98. Bell crank 98 is connected by pivotconnector 100 to the roof pivot bracket 46. Roof pivot bracket 46 haspreviously been described as it relates to the roof retractionmechanism. A front tonneau cover control link 102 interconnects the rearpivot link flange 94 to the bell crank 98 at pivot pin 104. Rear tonneaucover control link 106 interconnects the bell crank 98 to a rear tonneaucover control link flange 108 that extends downwardly from the loweredge of the rear roof assembly 38 when the rear roof assembly 38 is inits top up position. The bell crank pivot 110 connects the rear tonneaucover control link 106 to the bell crank 98.

When the retractable top 10 is in its top up position, the inner tonneaucover 16 is preferably maintained in a generally horizontal orientationas shown in FIG. 12. On the beginning of the retraction cycle, the innertonneau cover 16 is moved to a generally vertical position to provideclearance for the passage of the retractable top 10. The inner tonneaucover 16 pivots on pivot pin 92 in a counter clockwise direction asviewed from the left side of the vehicle. The front tonneau covercontrol link 102 is driven by movement of the bell crank 98 in adownward and forward direction as the roof pivot bracket 46 is movedalong the roof guide tracks 50 with the roof pivot bracket being guidedin the roof guide tracks 50 by track follower members 48. As the fronttonneau cover control link 102 is moved by the bell crank to a positionin front of the pivot pin 92, the inner tonneau cover 16 is pulled downto a generally horizontal orientation as shown in FIG. 14. Rear tonneaucover control links 106 connect the bell crank 98 to the rear tonneaucover control link flange 108. The bell crank rotates and carries therear tonneau cover control link 106 that in turn supports the rear roofassembly 38. The bell crank 98 transfers the motive force of the rearroof assembly 38 to the tonneau cover and coordinates the movement ofthe retractable top 10 with the inner tonneau cover 16.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the left side of the innertonneau cover and its associated linkage to the retractable top 10. Thedrive illustrated in FIG. 15 is a hydraulic cylinder 81. The front pivotflange 90 and rear pivot link flange 94 are shown on the underside ofthe inner tonneau cover 16. Front tonneau cover control link 102connects the rear pivot link flange 94 to the bell crank 98. Bell crank98 includes three connection points. One connecting the bell crank 98 tothe front tonneau cover control link 102, another connecting the bellcrank 98 to the rear tonneau cover control link 106, and a thirdcomprising pivot connector 112 connecting the bell crank 98 to the roofpivot bracket 46. Operation of the retractable top 10 and inner tonneaucover was previously described with reference to FIGS. 12-14.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-19, the trunk lid assembly for a vehicle 12and retractable top 10 is shown. Right and left sides of the trunkassembly are shown in FIG. 19 with the reference numerals for the leftside of the vehicle being duplicated by the same reference numerals witha prime designation designating the corresponding parts on the rightside of the vehicle. A description of the structure and operation of thetrunk lid assembly will be made with reference to the left side with theunderstanding that the right side is a mirror image of the left side.The trunk lid 18 is connected by arcuate support arms 120 at the backend 122 of the arcuate support arms 120. A hinge roller 124 is receivedas a track 126 on the front end 128 of the arcuate support arms 120. Thetrack 126 includes a forward end 130 and a rearward end 132. Referringto FIG. 16, the trunk lid is in its full open position and the hingeroller 124 is disposed in the rearward end 132 of the track 126. Asshown in FIG. 17, with the trunk between its full opened and full closedposition, the hinge roller 124 is located between the forward end 130and the rearward end 132 of the track 126. As shown in FIG. 18, when thetrunk is in its full closed position the hinge roller 124 is disposednear the forward end 130 of the track 126.

A control arm 134 is connected to the vehicle 12 by a pivot bodyconnector 136 on its rearward end 138. A pivot arm connector 140interconnects the control arm 134 to the arcuate support arm 120 on theforward end 142 of the control arm 134. A drive 144 is shownschematically at the forward end of the track 130. The drive 144 may bea hydraulic cylinder, a motor driven screw or other linear drive motorthat would be capable of driving the hinge roller 124 longitudinally inthe track 126.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-23. An alternative embodiment of the trunk lidassembly as shown. Once again the trunk lid assembly includes mirrorimage right and left sides that are shown in FIG. 23 in correspondingreference numerals on the right side of the vehicle are provided withthe same reference numerals as used for the left side but include aprime designation. For brevity, the same reference numerals have beenprovided to similar components of the trunk lid assembly that were usedfor FIGS. 16-19. The trunk lid assembly includes a trunk lid 18 for avehicle 12 that is provided with a retractable top 10. The trunk lid ismoved rearwardly and upwardly by means of the arcuate support arm 120that is connected by hinge roller 124 to a track 126. The hinge roller124 is movable within the track 126 in the position shown in FIG. 20,the full up position, FIG. 21, the partially closed position, and FIG.22 the fully closed position. A control arm 134 is connected to thevehicle by pivot body connector 136 and is connected to the arcuatesupport arm 120 by a pivot arm connector 140. In the embodiment of FIGS.20-23, the drive mechanism shown is a hydraulic cylinder 150 connectedbetween arcuate support arm 120 and control arm 134. The drive cylinder150 is connected to an opening 152 on the control arm 134 and isconnected to an opening 154 on arcuate support arm 120. The drivecylinder 150 contracts as the trunk lid is lifted and is expanded as thetrunk lid is closed as shown in FIG. 22. An air spring 156 may beprovided to assist lifting the trunk lid.

Referring now to FIGS. 24-27, another alternative embodiment of thetrunk lid assembly is shown. Once again the trunk lid assembly includesmirror image right and left sides that are shown in FIG. 27 withcorresponding reference numerals on the right side of the vehicle beingprovided with the same reference numeral as used for the left side butincluding a prime designation. For brevity, the same reference numeralshave been provided to similar components of the trunk lid assembly aswere used for FIGS. 16-19. The trunk lid assembly includes a trunk lid18 for a vehicle 12 that is provided with a retractable top 10. Thetrunk lid is moved rearwardly and upwardly by means of the arcuatesupport arm 120 that is connected by hinge roller 124 to a track 126.The hinge roller 124 is movable within the track 126 in the positionshown in FIG. 24, the full open position, FIG. 25, the partially closedposition, and FIG. 26 the fully closed position. A control arm 134 isconnected to the vehicle or to the frame 14 in a modular construction bypivot body connector 136 and is connected to the arcuate support arm 120by a pivot arm connector 140. In the embodiment of FIGS. 24-27, thedrive mechanism is a drive cylinder 160 connected between arcuatesupport arm 120 and control arm 134. The drive cylinder 160 is connectedto an opening 162 on the control arm 134 and is connected to an opening164 on arcuate support arm 120. The drive cylinder 160 contracts as thetrunk lid is lifted and is expanded as the trunk lid is closed, as shownin FIG. 22.

Referring now to FIG. 28, a trunk lid 18 is shown to include a reartonneau cover 20 that is slidably received on tracks 172 and 172′. Theouter tonneau cover 20 extends outwardly from the front edge 22 of thetrunk lid 18 to expand the gap formed between the rear edge 24 of theinner tonneau cover 16 when it is in its horizontal position and thefront edge 22 of the trunk lid 18. The outer tonneau cover is moved by amotor 174 and cables 176 on both sides of the trunk lid to move theouter tonneau 20 in the tracks 172 and 172′. The operation of the outertonneau cover drive is similar in many respects to a sunroof drivewherein the outer tonneau slides and is lifted on links 178 whenextended to be flush with the trunk lid 18.

While several embodiments of the invention have been illustrated anddescribed, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate anddescribe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used inthe specification are words of description rather than limitation, andit is understood that various changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rear quarter window assembly for a vehiclehaving a belt line and a retractable top comprising: a rear quarterwindow carried by the retractable top as it is moved between a closedposition in which the window is contiguous with an edge portion of theretractable top and is contiguous with the belt line of the vehicle tocover an opening defined between the top and the belt line of thevehicle and a stowed position in which the window is carried by theretractable top but is not contiguous with the retractable top or thebelt line of the vehicle; at least one control member pivotallyconnected to a rear portion of the retractable top and pivotallyconnected to the rear quarter window; and a pivot connecting the rearquarter window to the retractable top, the rear quarter window beingrotated by the at least one control member about the pivot to laterallymove the rear quarter window.
 2. A rear quarter window assembly for avehicle having a retractable top comprising: a rear quarter windowcarried by the retractable top as it is moved between a closed positionand a stowed position; a window/top control member pivotally connectedto a rear portion of the retractable top and pivotally connected to therear quarter window; and a pivot connecting the rear quarter window tothe retractable top, the rear quarter window being moved laterally withthe retractable top by extension of the pivot, the rear quarter windowbeing rotated by the window/top control member about the pivot.
 3. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein the pivot connecting the rear quarter windowto the retractable top comprises a roller cam.
 4. The assembly of claim2 wherein the pivot connecting the rear quarter window to theretractable top comprises a roller cam.
 5. The assembly of claim 1wherein the rear quarter window is moved laterally outboard of theretractable top.
 6. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the rear quarterwindow is moved laterally outboard of the retractable top.